Coco Gauff, the rising star of American tennis, is set to kick off her 2025 season representing Team USA at the United Cup in Australia.1 Alongside ATP Tour standout Taylor Fritz, Gauff leads a strong American contingent in a tournament that serves as a crucial warm-up for the Australian Open. With high expectations surrounding her, including predictions from fellow American player Chris Eubanks that she will ascend to the world number one ranking, Gauff is focused on making a strong start to the new year.
The United Cup presents a unique challenge, blending individual performances with team dynamics. Drawn into Group A alongside Canada and Croatia, Team USA faces stiff competition from the outset. Gauff’s potential matchups against Donna Vekic and Leylah Fernandez have generated considerable interest, providing intriguing early-season tests for the young American.
Gauff herself has offered valuable insights into her potential opponents, providing a glimpse into her preparation and strategic thinking. Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, Gauff shared her thoughts on Vekic and Fernandez, offering a blend of respect for their abilities and excitement for the upcoming contests.
Reflecting on her previous encounter with Vekic at the Olympics, Gauff acknowledged the Croatian’s aggressive playing style and powerful forehand. “Donna, I played her at the Olympics this year and I lost,” Gauff recalled. “She is a very aggressive player, she has a great forehand, and she can hit winners from any part of the court. I think that is going to be a tough match.” This candid assessment highlights Gauff’s awareness of the challenges Vekic presents, particularly her ability to dictate play and generate winners from all areas of the court. It also underscores Gauff’s willingness to learn from past experiences and adapt her strategy accordingly.
Her comments on Fernandez revealed a different dynamic, one rooted in a shared history within the junior tennis circuit. “Leylah, I have never played her before, but I have known her since I was like 11 years old,” Gauff explained. “We were playing juniors together, so this will be our first time playing on the pro scale. I’m super excited for that.” This personal connection adds an extra layer of intrigue to their potential matchup. While they have never faced off in a professional setting, their shared history in the junior ranks suggests a deep understanding of each other’s games.
Gauff further elaborated on Fernandez’s strengths, highlighting her speed, athleticism, and left-handed playing style. “I think she is a super fast, athletic player, and she’s a lefty, which is not common on tour at all,” Gauff noted. This recognition of Fernandez’s unique attributes underscores Gauff’s meticulous approach to preparation, acknowledging the specific challenges posed by left-handed opponents.
Gauff’s overall assessment of the potential matchups reflects a healthy balance of respect and anticipation. “So both matches are very tough matches to start the year off, but I am looking forward to them,” she concluded. This positive outlook demonstrates her eagerness to compete and test herself against high-quality opposition.
The United Cup format, featuring both singles and doubles matches, adds another dimension to the competition.2 Gauff’s versatility as a player makes her a valuable asset for Team USA in both disciplines. Her strong serve, powerful groundstrokes, and improved net play make her a formidable singles competitor, while her doubles experience provides valuable options for team strategy.
The tournament also serves as a crucial opportunity for Gauff and Fritz to fine-tune their games ahead of the Australian Open. The early-season competition provides valuable match practice against top-level opponents, allowing them to assess their form and make any necessary adjustments before the first Grand Slam of the year.
The United Cup features a star-studded field, including prominent players such as Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverev, Elena Rybakina, and Iga Swiatek. This high level of competition provides Gauff with an excellent opportunity to test herself against some of the best players in the world.
The United Cup schedule sees Gauff potentially facing Fernandez on Sunday, with Fritz also scheduled to play against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Following their opening match against Canada, Team USA will face Croatia on Tuesday, aiming to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
The full Team USA roster includes Denis Kudla and Robert Galloway joining Fritz on the men’s side, while Gauff is joined by Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk on the women’s side.3 This strong and diverse team composition gives Team USA a solid chance of making a deep run in the tournament.
With her recent victory at the WTA Finals and her impressive rise in the rankings, Gauff enters the 2025 season with considerable momentum. The United Cup provides an ideal platform for her to build on this success and set the tone for a strong year. Her insightful comments on Vekic and Fernandez reveal a player who is not only talented but also intelligent and strategically minded. As she prepares to take on the challenges of the United Cup, Coco Gauff is poised to make a significant impact on the tennis world in 2025.